Heatwave deaths rise to 92 in Egypt

Egypt is experiencing its worst heatwave in nearly four decades, claiming the lives of 92 people so far, most of them elderly.

An Egyptian farmer carries an electric fan as she walks through a Cairo street , Egypt, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) Source: AP

Five people who died in Egypt of sunstroke brought the number of deaths in a week from a heatwave to 92, the Health Ministry says.

The latest deaths occurred on Friday in Cairo and three provinces in southern Egypt.

Most of the 92 victims were elderly.

The heatwave is Egypt's worst in nearly four decades, according to the state-run Meteorology Office.

August is usually a hot month in Egypt, but this year temperatures have been higher than average, reaching 40 degrees in Cairo and 46 in southern Egypt.

Weather forecasters say the temperatures will start dropping later this month.

Health authorities have called on people, mainly the elderly and children, to avoid exposure to the sun.